Anna-Lena Friedsam lost the first singles against the Belgian Jeline Vandromme in the decisive duel in the Billie Jean King Cup. Staying in the league is becoming increasingly difficult for the German tennis women, especially since Eva Lys was canceled at short notice.
Friedsam, number 192 in the world rankings, lost on Sunday (November 16, 2025) in Ismaning in a hard-fought match 6:7, 6:2, 3:6 against the only 18-year-old Belgian Vandromme (number 477 in the WTA ranking).
The selection of the German Tennis Association (DTB) now absolutely needs two successes from the remaining matches of the day in order to possibly avoid relegation. Ella Seidel plays against Hanne Vandewinkel in the second singles. Jule Niemeier and Tessa Johanna Brockmann are scheduled for the final doubles.
If the DTB team prevails against Belgium despite being 0-1 behind, the set ratio between the Germans and the Belgians could then decide in the final score who will be in the fight for the most important team title next year.
DTB team against Belgium without top player Eva Lys
The DTB selection had to play the final to stay in the league without their top player Eva Lys. As the association confirmed to Sport 1, the number 40 in the world rankings had to miss the game at short notice on Sunday due to a thigh injury. Friedsam, who played alongside Jule Niemeier in the doubles opener on Friday, was nominated for the first singles against Belgium.
At the start against Turkey, Lys surprisingly lost her match against Zeynep Sönmez after debutant Ella Seidel’s convincing victory. After the subsequent double was lost, the end result was a 1:2 defeat – and the DTB selection faced relegation.
Because the Turkish team also lost 1-2 against Belgium on Saturday, the group was completely open before the DTB team’s final duel against Belgium. With a smooth 3-0 win against Belgium, the Germans would have secured first place, which they needed to stay in the league. So the situation remains uncertain, even with a 2-1 win the big arithmetic would begin for Germany’s tennis women.